The di Rosa Preserve

DI ROSA PRESERVE
For our Wednesday Outing today, we are heading for the Di Rosa Preserve, Art and Nature facility in Napa. There are eleven on board our mini-bus - Tony, our driver, Fabi, our Activities director and Janet from the staff and eight residents from Quail Creek - an assisted living facility in Fairfield. I have been there twice before - the first time, a couple of years ago, Mary treated Marie and I for Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days, with lunch afterwards at Gil Wood in Napa.
We suggested this facility to our friends, Pat and Mac, who accompanied us on our second visit. We ate lunch at the nearby Boon Fly Café.
We pulled away from Quail Creek at 10:00. The weather is sunny and clear, with high clouds. The Shell and Chevron stations post gas at $2,40/ gallon, while Arco is much cheaper at $2.26. Today’s crude oil -Futures price is about $56/bbl. We are riding along I-80 Westbound. It is a jarring experience. This eight mile stretch was supposed to have been re-surfaced last year. But, with the slumbering economy, plans slipped. Recently, the transportation people received good news - that they will be receiving some federal stimulus money shortly. Plans have been resurrected. Traffic is light. You drive on this washboard only if there is no other alternative.
We pass an auto dealer. The showroom is dark, and there are no new vehicles parked outside. The Anheuser Busch’s Brewery is off to the left. In-Bev, a Belgian brewer, bought A-B last November, and their profits are up - primarily due to A-B layoffs. We are passing the Weigh Station. Many trucks are cued up waiting for inspections. Hard to tell whether it is a sign of an improved economy or a back-up due to more rigid checking by the inspectors. “Ray’s RV’s” sign off to the left.
We are now traveling through Jamison Canyon - a very familiar stretch. High clouds have moved in and there is a high overcast. Hard to believe the weather change in such a short distance. A herd of black cattle is grazing in the plush field. We are passing many young vineyards on both sides of the highway. A water tower and an old “fixer-upper” barn come into view.
We are traveling northbound on Highway 29. Heavy traffic moving in the opposite direction - with their lights ‘on.” This is not good news - weather-wise. We are ascending a high bridge over a flood plain - holding lots of water. Tony exits from 29 on to Highway 121/12 - heading westbound. We arrive at our destination at 10:30.
We went on a one hour guided tour - escorted by Sabrina and Jeanette. The ground are pristine and very pretty. The art was very interesting and “funky”. It was certainly different and provocative!
The following history, and personal write-ups, are posted on the di Rosa preserve website:-
“The current di Rosa Preserve is a portion of the original 460 acres of land purchased by Rene di Rosa in 1960. Vineyards were established in 1855, but the land and building had fallen into disuse. Phylloxera in the late 19th century and Prohibition in the 20thcentury did away with the vineyards, and the 1886 stone winery was used for making moonshine, growing mushrooms, storing grain and hay, and milling.
After Rene di Rosa purchased the acreage, the stone winery was converted into a home, and the land turned from dairy cattle to grapes once again. In 1963. Winery Lake vineyards was established. Vines eventually covered 250 acres and, through the years, the quality fruit was sought by over 50 wineries. Seagram purchased the famed Winery Lake Vineyards in 1986.
Rene and Veronica di Rosa:
The di Rosa Preserve is the vision of two devoted patrons of the arts. Through their generosity, the vast collection of art, historic buildings, and surrounding open space, are being shared with the public.
Veronica was born in Canada and trained as an artist in California. She became known as a fine watercolorist and sculptor, as well as the author of whimsical cookbooks. She was an active booster of the Napa valley’s finest in wines, music and the fine arts.
Rene was born in Boston and was graduated from Yale University. While a reporter foe the San Francisco Chronical, and living in san Francisco, he sought a closer connection with rural values. His search brought him to Carneros where he planted the Winery Lake Vineyard. Famous fruit and a flair for promotion allowed this avocation to support his true interest: Bay Area art. The collection has grown over a span of four decades, during which Rene became an avid patron of the arts and artists of the region.
Art and Nature:
The preservation of natural habitat is central to the mission of the di Rosa Preserve: Art & Nature. The Preserve encompasses 53 acres, including a 35 acre lake, plus 162 acres of natural wild life preserve - all under Napa County Land Trust open space protection. Holdings include Milliken Peak and a stunning variety of habitats such as oak woodland, native grasses, ferns, herbs and wildflowers.
Art in many forms is displayed in harmony with nature on the Preserve: in magnificent outdoor arenas, in a 130 year old winery turned residence, in an ancient olive grove, and on the lake itself. Rich in flora and fauna, the open space is home, or a migratory stopping point for a fascinating array of wildlife, including Canada Geese, the Blue Herron, Snowy Egrets and the Preserve’s own peacocks.”
Note: The males were doing their mating dance - with fanned beautiful tail feathers- and squawking, but to no avail. The females must have been taking their siesta! It is still overcast and I felt a little moisture as we boarded.

We left the Preserve at 12:10, for the Boon Fly Café and lunch - arriving at 12:20. After a nice lunch, we re-boarded the bus and headed home at 2:00. An uneventful trip back, arriving at 2:30, after a nice day. Napa county is Lexus’ country!
RCL - 5/7/09.